Don E. Robinett

Don E. Robinett was born in Randall, Kansas on February 9, 1932, the fourth and only surviving child of Charles and Lena Robinett. He went to his heavenly home on October 11, 2025 at the age of 93.

He grew up and attended school in Randall and graduated from Randall Rural High School with the Class of 1949. His life's ambition was to be a farmer like his father and he started driving a tractor when he was in the fifth grade. He bought his first tractor while a sophomore in high school. They didn't cost as much then as they do now. He farmed with his father until 1965, when his father retired. He was alone in the farming operation until his oldest son, Craig graduated from high school in 1974. The farm was incorporated in 1973, and is now called Robinett and Son's, Inc. Don's other son, Brian, joined the farm operation for a few years and then went back to school to be an engineer. The farm has now been turned over to Craig to manage and Don became the hired man and go for.

April 18, 1951 was a most important date in Don's life, as this was when he married Dawna Gay Ramsey, his high school sweetheart, and they had 72 wonderful years together. They had four children, two boys and two girls, four grandsons, and four granddaughters, and two step-grandsons, along with several great-grandchildren. Craig and his wife Kristine lived on a farm near Randall, and have two sons and one daughter. Brian and his wife Patti live in Olathe, and have two daughters and one son. Colleen and her husband Kirby live in Randall, and have one son and one daughter. Carla and her husband Ron live in Jewell.

Don was a member of the Christian Church in Jewell, and was an elder in the Randall and Jewell Christian churches for thirty plus years. He served ten years on the school board of District 279, two of them as president. His greatest joy comes from his family and from working on the farm. His hobbies are Masonry, which his family sometimes thinks is his occupation, and in his later years he took up wood working and made many things for family members. He made baby beds for his grandchildren from oak trees he cut down on his own creek.

Don joined the National Guard in 1951, and went on active duty from January 1954 to January 1956 with one year of that time in Korea. When he arrived home, he found that he had been elected Junior Warden of his Lodge, and remained active ever since. He was a member of Randall Lodge No. 304, and served as Master in 1958 and 1959. When Randall Lodge consolidated with Jewell Lodge No. 11, he served as Worshipful Master there in 1969. He then became a member of the St. John's Lodge in Concordia, and was Master in 1984, and again in 1996, and was Secretary of St. John's Lodge from 1997 through 2011. He has served as District Deputy three times in three different districts, and Area Coordinator one time. He was a Past Prior and Past Registrar of KYCH, Past Soviern of St. David Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine, Past Preceptor HRAKTP, Scottish Rite, 33 degree, and is Director of Masonic Education in the Valley of Salina, and has shared his work with all other Valleys in the state.

Don was a 50-year member of Naomi Chapter No. 24 Order of the Eastern Star in Beloit, and was a Past Patron of Bramwell Chapter in Randall, and Port Chapter in Jewell. Don took a plural membership in Belleville Lodge No. 129 in 2016, and was active on the masonic education committee.

Don was installed as Grand Commander of Knights Templar of Kansas in 1977, Grand Master of Cryptic Masons of Kansas in 1983, Grand Master of Grand Lodge of Kansas AF&AM in 1990, and Grand High Priest of Royal Arch Masons of Kansas in 1997. He also served as Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Kansas from 1994 until 2000, for a total of 30 years in grand lines.

Don was raised on December 30, 1953, and since his return from the service in January of 1956, he has held an office in one or more bodies every year until the age of 80. He has been honored as an Outstanding Mason by the Grand Lodge of Kansas, and has won the Masters Achievement Award from Grand Lodge. He was one of the original members of the North American Masonic Renewal Committee.

Funeral services will be at 10 AM Thursday, October 16 at the Jewell Christian Church followed by burial at the Randall Cemetery. The casket will remain closed the day of the service. Visitation will be from 1-7 PM, with family present from 4-6 PM Wednesday at the Roberts Family Funeral Home. Memorials may be given to the Jewell Christian Church, Masonic Foundation-Topeka, Solomon Valley Hospice, or the Nicol Home.